Camilla Franks has blasted the public shaming of her friend Hugh Sheridan, who faced backlash recently after being cast as a trans character in a Sydney musical.
The kaftan designer, 42, shared a lengthy Instagram post on Thursday praising Hugh as a ‘lover of diversity’ after he underwent mental health treatment amid the controversy over his casting in the upcoming production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Alongside an image of the pair together, Camilla wrote: ‘I’m bitterly disappointed that other humans have taken time out of their lives to shamefully criticise and attack a big, beautiful juicy heart. It is cruel and unfair.’
Showing support: Camilla Franks (right) has blasted the public shaming of her friend Hugh Sheridan (left), who faced backlash recently after being cast as a trans character in a musical
The fashion guru noted that Hugh has long been a supporter of diversity in the arts, adding that he would have been ‘perfect’ for the role of Hedwig.
‘For those who want to challenge this, it’s worth remembering how many great actors played gay, straight, lesbian and every kettle of fish and were celebrated for honouring the lives of those they portrayed with grace and dignity,’ she said.
She went on to say that minorities who have ‘suffered too long’ are now being heard, and asked that ‘in raising these voices, please show others the same consideration that you are demanding for yourselves’.
Seemingly referring to Hugh’s hospitalisation, she added: ‘I am unapologetic about my disappointment in anyone who shames and attacks a good human.
‘Remember mental health kids. In this instance you have poorly misunderstood and mistreated Hugh. Shouldn’t love rule? Shouldn’t we all be one no matter what?’
Leading role: Hugh, who is best known for his role on Packed to the Rafters, was cast in the transgender role of Hedwig in the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Camilla echoed how proud she was of her ‘darling’ friend, stating that Hugh chooses love ‘time and time over’ and that others could ‘learn from him’.
She then posted a video of Hugh singing a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Way, captioning the clip: ‘We do it Hugh’s way.’
Last week, Hugh was admitted to hospital and was understood to have been undergoing mental health treatment following the controversy surrounding the Hedwig casting.
Talent: Camilla then posted a video of Hugh singing a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Way, captioning the clip: ‘We do it Hugh’s way’
The musical was pulled from the 2021 Sydney Festival after an LGBTQIA+ group, Queer Artist Alliance Australia, wrote an open letter slamming producers for casting Hugh to play a transgender character.
‘We would like to express our profound sadness and disappointment that trans performers are still fighting for equal opportunities and representation,’ the open letter read.
‘The choice to cast a cisgender male as a transgender character is offensive and damaging to the trans community, and continues to cause genuine stress and frustration amongst trans- and gender- nonconforming performers all across Australia.’
The alliance agreed that Hugh was a talented and deserving actor, but said it was not appropriate for him to ‘be the gatekeeper of a trans story’.
Open letter: The musical was pulled from the 2021 Sydney Festival after an LGBTQIA+ group, Queer Artist Alliance Australia, wrote an open letter slamming producers for casting Hugh to play a transgender character
‘While we understand the box office appeal in having a famous and commercially successful actor such as Hugh Sheridan headlining the show, our problem is that marginalised groups have been excluded from participating in a significant opportunity to tell our story because we are not as “well-known” or may not “sell enough tickets,”‘ the alliance said.
Hugh was left ‘heartbroken’ after he was inundated with messages from trolls on social media over his casting as Hedwig, a close friend of the actor told Daily Mail Australia last Friday.
The source revealed that Hugh now hopes to raise awareness of the effects of online bullying, and encourages others to seek mental health treatment when they need it.
The friend said: ‘All this did was break his heart. There comes a point where enough is enough and you need to ask for help. There is only so much you can take before you ask for help, so he asked for help.’
No more: Producers of Hedwig and the Angry Inch have cancelled the play’s 2021 Sydney Festival season after an open letter was published about the casting of Hugh (pictured)